ReneBean

Patti K! Congrats on your Band!! Check in when you feel up to snuff. :]

so, if he can determine that it IS a hernia before you go in - couldn't he bill the insurance company for the hernia repair and throw the port revision in for free while he is in there? He could at least bill the insurance company this way if he opens you up and finds that it is a hernia....

My DH loves Rachel. He has never mentioned a THING about her lack of Boobage - and frankly, I hadn't noticed. What is UP with you, ladies?!?!? :]

You can get Protein powders at a lot of places - from GNC to Walgreens to Walmart. Look for it with the other diet products or Vitamin supplements. GNC has tons of the stuff and you can buy it on line at lots of places, including FitRX.com... I use a Meal Replacement one called Ultramet that has 42 grams of protein, 24 grams of carbohydrate and about 50% of the Vitamins that you need in a day. There are also lots of them that don't have all the vitamins - just for protein. They also come in Low Carb... The list goes on and on. I hear that GNC has sample packets so that you can try several varieties and pick the one that you like best - which is great if you have GNC where you live. Happy shopping!

I don't think you are still supposed to be bleeding. Call your surgeon's office and ask them if you are ok. Take Care!

Hi Guys! I don't know about a ray of sunshine (and no, I am not lying) - but I think I am pretty philosophical about the whole thing because, somewhere in the back of my soul there is a little voice saying "you won't be able to pig out ever again... you won't be able to make fresh bread and roll around in it anymore...." That little voice that makes people get all scared and freak out right before surgery is GLEEFUL every time the insurance company says "no." So, it is sort of a battle between what I know is the right and correct thing - my desire to have the band and take control - and what I have always done, which is to eat whatever I want. I will continue to fight for the coverage or for the surgery in any way that I can - but when it doesn't work, it is almost a guilty pleasure - like being able to eat stuffing on Thanksgiving. It's not a noble thing at all... I am BAD. (and enjoying it!) Can you guys empathize with that? The good news is that I have taken to viewing my trips to Tucson like a mini-spa visit... It's always so nice and warm there. If the pool temp is over 75 we can swim (it was 77 on Thursday) and DH and I walk the neighborhood there for exercise. We do tend to eat a lot - we DO have to hit all the good Mexican Food! - but we burn a lot of calories in our swimming and tromping around. Ira and Pat - that logo is the 30 day chip for LBT. Mine is for not snacking after dinner. I am working on another one for exercise. Alas, I had a couple of oranges last night - so I am out of the running for a 60 day chip for no snacking, but those are available, too. Just go to the "who wants some chips" thread and declare your abstinence. Then, after 30 days of purity, you too can sport one of these fabulous 30 day chips in your signature. Ira - You could probably have one now for exercising 6 days a week... DANG! That's great. I have had to force myself to do four days... I had to re-start my 30 day count for the week I only did three days. I went today, though... I am trying to keep that Evil Eliptical at bay WITHOUT slowing down so much the machine goes into pause-mode. Today, I did 10 minutes with no pauses before my heart rate got too high. I haven't fallen off once! lol. So far as the Stuffing is concerned, my problem with that is NOT the actual feast day. My problem is that I love nothing more than eating T-Day leftovers for the rest of the week. I shred up some turkey, throw it in a pan with some stuffing and gravy - heat it and eat it. Every day until the stuffing runs out. I don't feel that we have had a proper Thanksgiving unless I get to eat stuffing for 3-4 days afterwards. I suppose I am going to have to revise this opinion... Or work out a LOT more... :] Patty - YES, find a seminar near you. Do you have a particular surgeon in mind? Then ask him. He will know where the seminars are being held. If not, see if your doc knows where there is one. Failing that, you can search on line. I found lots of information there, including this website! Good luck and happy hunting! Cindy - the smoker, huh? My DH mostly smoke salmon (MMMMMMMMM) but once in a while he will smoke something else before cooking to add flavor. Have fun with the meat cleaning fest... At least your protein will be smoky and delicious! And try to have fun decorating. I am sure you are right - your Mom would not want you to keep the house gloomy at Christmas and your Daughter should have the best Christmas you can give her, every year. Your Dad & Sis may actually appreciate the decorations, once you get them put up. Give them lots of hugs. It will help all of you. Pat, you hot chick, you! You are going to be the best looking Red Hat woman ever...Is that the group that is doing the cookie thing? Tell all. Zan, how you doin? I hope you are having a great day. I have to get on to bed, now. We hit the road in the morning. I will try to stop by after I arrive in Tucson. Happy Thanksgiving!! Irene

Just a heads up, I had a small fender-bender years ago and thought I was fine. The next morning I could hardly move - I had whiplash. Get yourself checked out and don't freak out if you really hurt tomorrow. Big hugs!!

Just remember - it takes Water to flush the chemicals out of your body - so if you take liquid with "stuff" in it, then you have to drink MORE liquid to help flush the dyes and sweeteners out of your body. If your doc says 40 to 64 oz - then try for at least 40 of clear water and then take a bunch more liquid with flavorings and stuff. :]

Well, they are all for the same purpose... Lard is animal fat. Shortening is usually vegetable fat. :]

No, but my company could put an exclusion on for all bariatric surgery. I am hoping they don't - but I won't know for sure until after the first of the year. If the insurance companies start offering a significant discount for this policy exclusion, lots of employers will take it. I am just hoping that Blue Cross is so huge that they will be too slow to make this change. I guess as long as they keep denying everybody, the band won't particulary affect them - but the Lap Band has got to be cutting into the insurance company profits for a lot of companies. Way more people will be willing to have the band than would be willing to go through a by-pass... By the way, Ira - great job on the exercise! You really are going to be a stud if you keep that up!! Zan - You did the right thing by throwing that scale out the window! They are evil. Don't get another one!! I say you camp out in that doc's office until he gives you a fill. I didn't get my toes done - but I did challenge the Evil Eliptical to a 19 minute duel. Eileenie - you are too funny. I don't know if I would want anybody at Blue Cross to get close enough to use as an asswipe! lol! I am just going to play "Little Engine That Could" at the gym... I am going to keep fighting the EE and doing my four little things. All I have to do is get past Thanksgiving... I LOVE stuffing and gravy. I could skip ALL the rest of it if I have Stuffing and Gravy. Dang all that Stuffing, anyway. BTW - good luck with the real food. PB's sound pretty scary - so be careful! Pat - I got a little excited about some Soup today, myself! My co-worker brought in some soup in a little plastic tub that she bought at our version of Safeway (we have Tom Thumb here, instead). It was a creamy Tomato Basil soup and it was sooooooo good. Mmmm. Now I am going to have to try some of the other Soups. Patty - tell us about Sherriff John? What does this have to do with your mini-goal? I don't remember that show, either. Cindy - HUGE cyber hugs. I wish there was something we could do to help your Granny. I hope she pulls out of this and you get to enjoy her and be with her for years to come. If all else fails, smuggle her in a chocolate milkshake. My Mom swears that is what saved my dad when he was supposed to have an hour to live. (uh - that was over 30 years ago...) We are all thinking good thoughts for her. DH and I will be departing the icy shores of Texas for our Thanksgiving in Tucson with the M&P on Sunday morning. Tomorrow will be devoted to laundry and packing, so I might not get a chance to log on again until after we get to AZ. Just in case I don't get to check in, Y'all have a great weekend!! :]

Even if it takes 2-3 fills to get to that sweet spot - you have to get the first one or you can never get to the 2nd and 3rd ones... Buck up, Andy. You have spent the last several weeks healing - now the weight loss part STARTS. Besides - 13 kg is nothing to sneeze at. Great job! I hope that your fill is effective for you! :]

Ooooo Eileen - you get to really start working it, now! Lucky girl! Just remember - when you think you have chewed enough - chew some more! Good Luck!

Yes, How is the Divine Miss D?? Check in when you feel up to it! :]

Go Nickie!! I have only been going for a couple of weeks, but I am starting to notice a difference in my energy levels - and I have lost 8 lbs... Treadmill, bike & eliptical........... It's not what I would call FUN - but, it isn't too horrid after the first couple of times. Good Luck!!

Hey Y'all! How goes the battle? Betty, you had better un-cross those fingers for a bit. I appreciate the thought, but I don't want to be responsible for any permanent damage due to continued crossing of fingers! lol. Eileen - Whatcha reading? Pat - What a cutie! That is a great little Harley he has there. Did you pick that up at the Harley store on highway 75? lol. Cindy - Wow. More hugs! I hope Granny is not too badly damaged by the stroke. Definitely spend as much time with her as you can. One of the few regrets I have is that I didn't spend enough time with my Great Aunt Irene when she was alive. My G-Ma wasn't much of a "Warm Fuzzy" kind of person - but Auntie Irene was. She was the one that taught me to crochet & knit. She was the "Fun" one of my Dad's family. I really miss her. You can't spend too much time with the people that you love. And Cindy - you couldn't possibly tell us more that we want to know. We want to know EVERYTHING. :] Thanks so much for keeping me in your prayers. I appreciate it. Patty - How smart were you to include the Disney passses in the Divorce Decree? I am impressed. That certainly will make a lasting impression on the kids. Sounds like you could use a hug, too! Darn, girl! How much crap can any one person take and stay sane? It sounds like you are doing pretty well, all craziness considered. Keep your chin up. Money is pretty low on the list of things that kids remember - most memories are centered around things that happen - like "Remember when we all had to cram into that tiny manufactured house - and Mom always made us pancakes?" I think that's the stuff they will remember - and feel good about. Hugs! Ira - I saw you lurking while I was typing... Whatcha doin? Are you tearing up the scale - you weightloss stud, you?? Tell All! I have decided not to stress about the whole insurance thing. I am just going to submit my stuff to the state and trust in good karma and all your positive thoughts and prayers. I'll work on it from my folks house next week. I know that they will have some great tidbits to add to any letter that I might send in addition to the previous info I submitted to the Stinkers at Blue Cross. My medical records are copied and waiting for me at AIGB and I have the signed form from Dr. Fox by Fax. Now all I need is the second declination letter from Blue Cross. Hopefully, that will have come in the mail today - or will arrive before we leave for Tucson on Sunday. My DH has decided that he is just going to diet me down to an acceptable BMI for Blue Cross.... While that may work, it might be too late, if my company adds an exclusion - or my new 2006 policy no longer covers the band.... It can't hurt - so I am going along with it. Even when he cooks healthier, his cooking is so good that I hardly notice. Yeah, Buddy. I feel like Oprah, with my own diet chef. In order to qualify under the Blue Cross BMI guidelines, I have to get my lard butt down to 299 - that's another 49 lbs, folks. No small task. It may be a long haul, unless miracles happen at the State Insurance Board. Everybody keep your fingers crossed (except YOU Betty - no permanent damage, remember? Maybe you can cross your toes for a bit instead?). I will need lots of cheerleaders if I have to do this the old fashioned way. Dust off those pom poms, people. Get ready to Shake It! Well, I am off to a hot date with my husband for dinner and the gym. Everybody keep on keepin' on. Hugs!!

Yeah, Baby. Ocean Spray.

LISA!! JQ posted a thread today or yesterday called "Are you getting enough?" I thought of you. Glad to hear that you and your Bro are reconciled. Sometimes those siblings can be the best thing. So, can you hogtie Mom and take her in for shots ever two weeks? Not a whole lot new on the old homefront. Blue Cross denied me again (shocking, no?) and I have to submit to the State of CA to fight it. If that doesn't work, I have to start all over again next year, because my insurance plan is changing. Still Blue Cross - but a whole new coverage option. Oh Joy. In the mean time, my Beloved has decided that we are going to diet down to the point where Stinking Blue Cross will accept me for the procedure I want. All I have to do is get my BMI below 50, right? I have already lost 8 lbs and I have about 50 to go, I think. I am fighting the good fight against the Evil Eliptical machine at the gym. So far, I have been able to keep my heart from exploding for up to 13 minutes at a time while spinning my wheels. Between the EE, the bike and the Dreadmill, I am doing about 45 minutes a shot - four days a week. Work is the same, life is mostly the same - although we are off to Tuscon for Thanksgiving next week. HUGS!! We miss you. We are all thinking good thoughts about you! :]

Hear the roar of the crowd... JESS! JESS! JESS! JESS! You GO, Girl! :]

So, thinking is good. Think some about this. Liquid diets make you lose the weight quickly - they work every single time. BUT - have you ever done a liquid diet and KEPT the weight off? The band allows you to not only KEEP the weight from the liquid diet off - but to continue to lose weight after the initial "Easy" pounds have been lost. I want a Band!! Placebo or not - I want one.

Go Brad, Go!! That belly is seriously shrinking and soon it will be but a distant memory... Congrats on your success!!

Hey, the only GOOD thing about getting denied for insurance again is that I get to pig out on Thanksgiving one more time... DH is on Turkey patrol - and I will probably have to help. Very scaled down this year because we will be in in Tucson with the M&P (what DH calls my mother and father - mom & pop) Turkey Stuffing OLIVES mashed potatoes gravy pie. That's the required stuff. :]

I am so glad to hear that your family is all safe and no major damage was done. What a story she will have to tell to the new little one when it comes! :]

Wow!! What a great thing to be able to think. shake your money-maker! (you professional dancer-chick, you!) Go Vines, Go!!

Hey Tod - I don't have a band, yet. I have lost 8 lbs by just doing four things: 1) eat Breakfast (really, I drink a Protein shake) every day within 2 hours of getting up. (this covers enough protein & even blood sugar levels) 2) drinking lots of Water 3) 30-45 minutes of cardio 4 days a week (treadmill, eliptical, bike) 4) no snacking after dinner. I didn't do all this stuff at once - I worked up to it. I started with the water & breakfast, then I cut out the evening eating, then I joined the gym. I eat pretty much whatever I want at lunch and try to keep the evening meal small. It is working... Good luck! :]

And here's another perspective: You, as an experienced bandster, have an obligation to Teach those of us who are just starting out. Welcome Home Master Jonathan. We await your pearls of wisdom. :]